‘Overly simplistic’: NYC mayoral candidate Andrew Yang goes on defensive over pro-Israel statement Shant Shahrigian New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang went on the defensive Wednesday following harsh criticism from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for his comments supporting Israel. “I mourn for every Palestinian life taken before its time as I do for every Israeli,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter. “All people want to be able to live in peace. We all want that for ourselves and our children.” Yang, a businessman who’s been leading in the polls, tweeted support of Israel on Monday amid a new round of violence rooted in a dispute over homes in Jerusalem. Palestinian militants fired rockets at the city, prompting a massive airstrike from Israel.